SPRINGFIELD—Illinois soon will take steps towards becoming REAL ID compliant due to legislation signed into law on Friday.

A measure pushed by State Senator Terry Link (D-Vernon Hills) would change multiple state statutes to bring Illinois into compliance with the federal government’s REAL ID standards.

In January, Illinois was put on notice that it had two years to fully comply with REAL ID requirements or Illinois residents might not be able to get into government buildings with their driver’s license. It would also cause more headaches in TSA lines all over the country.

“Illinois citizens need easy access to many federal buildings and airports to utilize federal services,” Link said. “Becoming compliant with REAL ID standards was a long process but one that we need to finish before it negatively affects our residents.”

Senate Bill 637, which will go into effect on July 1, will do the three following things to bring them into compliance with federal law:

Require proof of lawful presence in the United States. If proof is not available the applicant for a driver’s license will be given a temporary visitors driver’s license.

Bar residents from having both a driver’s license and an ID card at the same time.

Limit the validity of a driver’s license or ID card to no more than eight years.